24

Synopsis

Jack Bauer, Director of Field Ops for the Counter-Terrorist Unit of Los Angeles, races against the clock to subvert terrorist plots and save his nation from ultimate disaster. Eight seasons, and 195 episodes in total.

Hmm. Despite an inventive premise and a gripping narrative development, the pernicious ideology of the programme has become significantly dated and regressive. Credit where it is due - the development of tension through dramatic irony is masterful.

Crypto-fascist propaganda on how good torturing people is. Because life if full of those scenarios where you either have to torture someone immediately, or a terrorist blows up Los Angeles. Every single episode jumped the shark in terms of believability.

Early seasons seem a little outdated and cheesey when you watch now, but at the time it was one of the three most exciting series I ever watched. Later series do have replay value even now; a really fun/exciting show.

At first it had an unique concept by telling a season story in real time meaning 1 hour on TV (with commercials) would be 1 hour in "real life story". While it was solid at first the show became a parody of itself with the same story recycled every season. Kiefer Sutherland was always watchable though and there was many strong supporting actors that helped out. Even at it's worst the action was good though.